NATO-Afghan Forces Kill Seven Members of One Family in Nangarhar

NATO and Afghan forces have killed seven members of same family in allegation of cooperating with the Taliban militant group in eastern Nangarhar province, officials said Tuesday.

The family was targeted during a joint operation of NATO and Afghan forces in Ghani khail district of the province on Monday night, according to local residents and officials.

Five of the family members were also arrested with allegation of cooperating with the Taliban. However, the head of the family rejects the allegations.

“You can ask from the people, what I and my sons have done wrong?” Mohammad Omar questioned. “If someone blames me I will slit my throat but if not then it is cruelty and god is witness.”

The Provincial Governor’s Spokesman, Attaullah Khogyani, confirmed the killing and detention of family members. But he said that it is still unclear whether the victims were civilians or the Taliban members.

“A delegation has been dispatched in the area to identify the victims’ identity,” he said.

In protest to the operation, some local residents warned of closing the Torkham-Jalalabad route to traffic, if the incident was not “comprehensively” investigated by the government.